Reggie Watts is going back to his musical roots. The comedian/late night bandleader has teamed up with producer John Tejada to creat an Electronic/Dance group called Wajatta. If you haven't figured it out yet the band name is a mash-up of he duo's last names and is a collection of their similar musical influences and their love of of urban electronic music with roots in Detwoit Chicago house, '70s funk, and New York hip-hop. Tejada’s productions serving as a backing for Watt's vocals and looping skills.
Watts explains the collaboration, "Having been a longtime fan of John’s I was completely taken aback when we had the opportunity to meet a while back at one of his LA shows. We exchanged information and kept in touch. Eventually we decided to try something in the studio together. I explained that I love to work improvisationally and quickly in the moment. John fortunately has a fast mind and also works in this way so as soon as we started recording it just worked immediately; me being able to just flow what was in my head in response to his music and him locking onto that and crafting something great around/with it. It’s been such a fun experience brief and yet prolific as the partnership continues. I’m so excited to finally release music that I think will inspire people to move and expand on the dance floor or groove in their headphones. I believe Wajatta is that culminative experience!!"
Tejada also discusses the collaboration, "Reggie and I met at one of my shows last winter and we began work on our collaborations soon after. “Runnin” was a work that was actually started by Reggie live on The Lot Radio Brooklyn. Reggie gave me access to all his looper files and I added my own synth and drums to it, layered some more Reggie and away we went."
The album will be released via Comedy Dynamics, and the first single, "Running" is available for pre-order now.